📄 Archived: 2025-08-06 14:28:53 UTC
🔗 Source: https://old.reddit.com/r/estrogel/comments/iod975/unrelated_darth_dangerous_experiments_diy_shrink/

# unrelated: Darth dangerous experiments: DIY shrink the rib cage with lower rib binding (akin to Kim K "corset diet")

r/estrogel • by u/darthemofan • 44 points

WARNING: the following may cause pain, costochondritis, cracked or fractured ribs, reduced lung capacity, lung or kidney damage from floating ribs etc. That's why it's called dangerous lol :) I'm no doctor. I'm just Darth from the internet who cooks drugs. Follow my advice at your own risks!

## Intro: Darth dangerous experiments

I do not hide that I run various crazy experiments on myself. I just don't share results until I have a positive!

The last big one was the stop and go theory (cold stopping E2 to re-sensitize receptors) and it came after trying various crazy stuff, like domperidone (to increase PRL), dostinex (to reduce PRL), MK667 (for GH) etc. When I got a positive result, I shared it. Now after 2 other ppl have independently confirmed it worked for them, I can suggest it without reservations.

Now about ribs! Age is no guarantee of hip growth. I have had poor results. My dude is ftm and has had rib wrapping for binding. It's hard to describe, but when you run your fingers along his sexy ribs, you can feel like a change of level, like a dent all over.

It's often a problem for ftm bc binding can shrink the upper ribcage while they want to be buff, but for us mtf it's kinda interesting. So my goal was to try to "reproduce" the result, by doing everything that is said to be "binding dangerously", and see what works. After discussions with other people by PM, I started experimenting with a few things to improve my w/h ratio.

## Extrapolating from ftm results

It is well known that even safe binding gradually deforms the ribs: the longer you bind, the more deformation can accrue.

Even then, lots of cis people say it's impossible to alter the shape of the ribcage: try to google shrinking the rib cage, and look at the dismissive answers from docs like on quora.

Personally, I'm ready to believe anything, but only with evidence - and I believe trans ppl more than cis ppl who pretend it's impossible, without evidence, and without personal experience.

Turns out the evidence is against the "fixed forever" theory of the rib cage shape: google for xray of corsetting, and you'll find the 1908 results of O'Followell https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/the-corset-x-rays-of-dr-ludovic-o-followell-1908 and more recently Cathy Jung http://cathiejung.com/waist-xrays.htm

There are many testimonies like https://lucycorsetry.com/before-after/ - too many to believe that the rib cage shape is fixed forever.

Personally, I think corsetting is stupid and dangerous bc there're a bunch of things in the belly (liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines...) but the ribcage is mostly lungs, and lungs are spongy, so why not try the same thing there?

It's supported by a lot of evidence from our ftm brothers: check the ftm sub using keywords like wrapped/deformed/distorted ribs, misshaped ribcage etc, you will find many testimonies explaining how their chest now looks "sunked in". It's hard to believe everyone is lying (and what would be the reason? to prevent ppl from binding???):

- https://np.reddit.com/r/ftm/comments/hw8rxv/distorted_ribs_affecting_top_surgery/

- https://np.reddit.com/r/ftm/comments/hbmk82/could_i_be_placed_on_a_semiurgent_list_for_top/

- https://np.reddit.com/r/ftm/comments/h78bo8/how_does_binding_change_your_rib_shape

- https://np.reddit.com/r/ftm/comments/f85nxb/my_ribs_are_kind_of_deformed/

- https://np.reddit.com/r/ftm/comments/ct5p43/warped_ribs/

After reading all that, I based my whole idea on copying what caused the described results: binding without any break 24/7, including during sleep, with only short breaks for bath or shower, double binding if necessary, binding until it's painful, etc -- only we'll do that at a different place, bc we want to achieve a different shape.

This is akin to the corset diet, advertised by Kim K and others, which consists of wearing a corset all day even when sleeping so as to achieve an hour-glass figure - IDGAF about the waist part, but this is basically the principle: breaking every rule in the book about ftm safe binding to get the desired side effects!

BTW, from the "diet" part, expect some weight loss bc it will compress your stomach and make you feel super full even when barely eating anything, so try to eat caloric food if like me you don't want that. And be super careful if you've had an history of ED!

## How does it work

The ribs are attached to the spine in the back and the sternum in the front. When you breathe, your chest cavity expand due to the ribs slightly going up, like the handle of a bucket: they raise in the (X,Z) aka sagittal plane

If you did read the links, you'll have noticed most people reported the lower ribs flared out (ex: https://np.reddit.com/r/ftm/comments/a9aikb/yup_my_ribs_are_mildly_deformed_this_is_great/ ), as binding applies an uneven force, with more strength applied to the upper ribs bc of the breast volume. This is because the ribcage is like a rectangle : if you compress the top, the bottom will flare out. So the idea is to do the exact opposite by compressing the bottom part!

Quite obv, I didn't my boobs lol. Well, I have to say I tried just to get a feeling of what it does, and damn that shit hurts!

Afterwards, I binded the lower ribs, below the boobs. It hurts very differently. The ribs go to a cartilage in the middle, that's flexible: this is how you can expand your chest if you take a deep breath. Binding the lower ribs is just trying the cartilage flexibility in the other direction! Then what if you did that hard enough and long enough to alter the natural shape, like lots of people have reported?

The ribcage grows with age as the cartilage ossify: lower rib binding could prevent or mitigate that, and also "seal" everything into place: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4111931/

## Equipment required and proper use

You don't need no fancy binder: just go to amazon and look for a 20-30 inches rib binder with velcro. This XS size is because you'll want to apply a lot of strength there.

There're basically 2 version: the male (rectangle) and the female (tapered out for the boobs). Get both, but odds are you'll prefer the male version, as the tapering is done by sewing and the fold will go into your skin and itch.

Take your measurements before, expire all the air in your lungs, and apply the binder with the goal of removing at least 2 inches in diameter. Measure again: if you didn't achieve that, try again. If needed, do a double binding: apply the other binder on top.

After its done, congrats - you don't need to do nothing else. Just wait a few week lol. Try to sleep on your back, not on your side, to avoid uneven force causing a uneven rib cage (ex: more shrunk on the left that on the right if you sleep on your left side due to the body weight)

If it didn't, double binding is more painful but can help. Don't double bind at night, as you want to be aware in case a sudden major pain suggest you should go back to single binding.

## Practical results

After a few week of binding 24/7, I have achieved about 2.5 inches of reduction at the underburst (29.5') , that seem to persist when the rib binder is removed: I've tried up to 1 hour taking a long bath, the max "return to before size" I've noticed is 1 inch (30.5') and more often 0.5 inches. Still, I'll try to do a full 6 month before taking a longer stop, as the results should be cumulative.

Even more interesting, the sub cut fat under the ribs seems to have moved down. I had no idea it was even possible! But it's now at the level of my navel. I'll try to push it down further for some booty and hips lol, by using the 2nd binder: I apply the other binder on top, just a bit lower to go slightly over the naked skin of the waist. This is done to cause a strength gradient that will push out fat lower.

Based on all my readings from the ftm sub and other sources, proper results will require binding like that between 6 months to 2 years top. However, the results are immediate, and tangible: you get a nice hourglass shape with no investment except $10 for a "bruised rib binder" off amazon. Hopefully, given enough time, these results will be definitive too.

## Concusion

The results are especially especially cool considering there's no surgery on the market to do that: removing floating ribs doesn't change the ribcage diameter!

However, it may be dangerous. It may not work on you. I can't say how well it may work (or not) for old ppl who are totally ossified.

All I can say it works for me.

But I believe these preliminary results are worth sharing. Feel free to share this post wherever.

## Comments

u/darthemofan • 6 points

update 3 years later: about 29.5 inches stable after about a year of doing nothing.

so Ive resumed the experiment: I'm now trying again with a longer corset to also try to improve the waist and see if I can go to below 29 underbust

u/tsukai1 • 1 points

Thanks for doing this. I’ve been considering doing this myself but haven’t been able to find anyone posting results after they stopped for a while.

u/[deleted] • 3 points

Since you posted your measurements, what are your weight and height? It's hard to interpret without those.

Plus, isn't 32 inches about the female average? this study found an average of 81cm.

u/converter-bot • 1 points

32 inches is 81.28 cm

u/darthemofan • 1 points

> what are your weight and height?

I'm a little over 5.6 in height, and 140 lbs in weight

> Plus, isn't 32 inches about the female average?

I literally have no idea. I'm just looking at improving my waist/hip ratio because I got no hip growth, just some fat.

u/[deleted] • 2 points

I feel like I have the same thing as you, and emrata. The entire body has feminine proportions, except the hips which fail to be large. I feel like the way to getting an hourglass figure for the vast majority of women is to gain a bit of weight actually. That and squats.

u/darthemofan • 1 points

yeah the hips suck :(

squats IDK, I will try, in the meantime I'll experiment with this for at least 6 month and see if it sticks bc it sure makes my proportions great!

at at $10 (well $20 bc I got 2 lol) it aint too expansive

u/[deleted] • 2 points

what about with a corset. Like rigid one, like the ones from the 19th century or so

u/darthemofan • 1 points

that's like super expansive, and it would touch the waist.

I'm not comfortable doing that, and my budget was like $50 for this experiment.

ofc if you want to financially support Darth Dangerous Experiments, I'm all ears lol

u/[deleted] • 2 points

Not one of those 200£ corsets like, one that you can buy on amazon too for 50$ and in a conical shaoe, which squeezes the ribs. I really need all the money I can get so I was just asking in case you knew 😔

u/darthemofan • 1 points

tbh, the waist is rarely the problem, and I find the super slim waist like Cathy Jung pics freaskish and ugly. it's not proportionate. personally, I'm 26' at the waist, it's not fab, but okish as I'm on the tallish side, a little over 5.6

what worries me more is my chest and shoulders. one of them is fucked up following me falling drunk during a party. I was planning to get sugery then fucking covid happen

this is was an experiment to see if it could make waiting easier. one totally unrelated good thing (not reported here bc it's not relevant to anyone but me) is that my shoulder is hurting less, after initially hurting more for the first few days of binding.

I litterally have no idea why, but I'll take it :)

u/[deleted] • 2 points

how. I'm a little over 5.6 and have a 27', fuck my life .Are you talking about shoulder narrowing surgery? That shit is expensive

u/darthemofan • 1 points

> I'm a little over 5.6 and have a 27', fuck my life

26' vs 27' isn't a big difference. our proportions are about the same. I'm sure you look great!

> Are you talking about shoulder narrowing surgery? That shit is expensive

yeah but I was looking at non US surgeon. in normal countries with normal prices, it should cost at most 3 to 4 grands all included.

everything healthcare related has crazy inflated prices in the US.

u/darthemofan • 1 points

update 3 weeks later: I now get 29 inches underbust with the binder, 30.0 without

it's stable for 4h (the longest I've tried), so apparently the results get better with time!

the overbust seems stable at 34 inches (I didn't measure it before the experiment, oops)

Update 7 month later after not wearing the binder for like a full month (I got sick) and only resuming for like 1 week:

Weight 144 lbs

Overbust 35

Underbust 31 without the binder, 30.5 with it. It's dead I can see I need a new one :)

u/ani_3113 • 2 points

Amazing progress!

My binder has arrived. I have only tried it on for fit so far. Damn it's tight! I felt a bit discouraged after that initial test but this update has really got me fired up again!

u/darthemofan • 1 points

careful, avoid the breast area, in my experience you still got quite enough grip on the lower ribs. if you got a velcro model, you can adjust the tightness. start with a few hours, then more and more every day.

it took me 2 weeks to get use to the double binding for sleeping

btw if you try this, don't be like me, plz take your full measurements including upper bust and report on your progress every week :)

u/darthemofan • 1 points

update almost 6 weeks later: same results, no further changes. but at palpation, my lower ribs now seem wrapped.

it's hard to explain, but there is a given slope but the upper ribs until those that are below the breast, then there is a different slope below. I can't confirm if it's new but I had never noticed before. I noticed because I feared one rib was misaligned/inflammed/broken, but no, it's in line with the other ribs above, just not with the ribs below

the separation is midway in the binder, which makes me want to modify the protocol and bind a bit diagonally (higher in the back that in the front to avoid the breasts) but when I tried it slipped. I need some kind of suspenders or something to hold the binder into place.

there is some low degree constant pain around my right shoulder. it's hard to pinpoint it. it reminds me of the pain when I cracked a rib after a fall. so I'm super happy about that :) Now if only the left shoulder could hurt too!!!

my bf commented on how there seems to be a "line" where the bottom of the binder stops: it's as if the subcut fat was reduced above, and increased below. I'ved tried to complement that with an abdominal binder (bc, why not also get a thin waist!!) but it rolls up, regardless of the brand and fabric. I guess it really needs some kind of boning, but I don't want to spend a fortune on corset, and waist is at best a very secondary objective, so I'll do without

u/reddened_skies • 1 points

this is cool! just out of curiosity is there a link where you go into detail about stopping and restarting e?

u/darthemofan • 2 points

It's in /r/estrogel/comments/gqsh2g/a_practical_use_of_estrogel_as_a_topical_to/

u/ani_3113 • 1 points

I have been dropping a lot of weight lately and the bottom of my ribs are now sticking out a bit. I will try this as I think it makes sense and I think it will have desired effect on me. There was however one more thing I was thinking about.

As I said, I have been losing weight. I'm currently down to 7% body fat and I think I've reached my goal. I'm now planning on gaining weight. I want to go up to 25%. A common problem when gaining relatively fast is you put most of on your belly. I was thinking though, if you are "binding", That far down I'd say corseting but let's stay on topic. If you were binding tightly, would the fat find it a hard time to grow, would I maybe be able to avoid a couple of lbs that would have otherwise gone to my belly? Food for thought.

u/darthemofan • 2 points

> my ribs are now sticking out a bit. I will try this as I think it makes sense and I think it will have desired effect on me.

please share your preliminary results (measurements before, and after 3 weeks) when you can! start simple then double bind at least in the daytime. at night it can be hard to sleep if you toss and turn like me with double binding

> If you were binding tightly, would the fat find it a hard time to grow, would I maybe be able to avoid a couple of lbs that would have otherwise gone to my belly?

I think you have a great idea there! If you look at guys wearing high speedos (not sure about the name) instead of briefs , they often have a small line there. obviously the pressure of an elastic band is not enough, but it matches the idea

Bc likewise, after fat transfer or lipo, compression garnments are worn - and I remember reading various experience of ppl having fat removed from one point (say belly) only to regain it homogeneously on the parts that didn't have lipo (butt, chicken wings, boobs). so I think your theory is right as everything seems to match!

To be sure, I just made some hip measurements, and I confirm a gain there, while my weight is stable!

> Food for thought

Not just that, it is a very interesting extension to also help ppl pre transition: they could lose weight, then do lower binding when starting hrt !!

ofc it should be confirmed before being suggested, but I really think you're on to something. plz plz plz share you results when you try!

u/ani_3113 • 1 points

I am going ahead with this idea and I will keep you posted. I will probably start this next week or so.

I think the logic makes sense. It should at the very least help. This might be an idea for other people to try as well when weight cycling.

I will post updates!

u/Dry-Elevator9217 • 1 points

Dear author, how do you think is it safe to do this if you have hyperkyphosis?